The occurrence of toxic cyanobacterial blooms has been reported worldwide and poses a threat to human health through drinking water exposure. The toxins they produce are highly water soluble and can leach into the water body. To eliminate any risk of drinking water exposure, removal of these toxins is essential before the water is consumed. Conventional water treatment techniques such as chlorination, if managed well, can be effectively used to remove some of these toxins, however, saxitoxin and its derivatives pose a problem. Little toxicological data are available to evaluate the real threat of these toxins
Introduction
Cyanobacterial Toxins
Neurotoxins
Hepatotoxins
Microcystin and Nodularin(The cyclic peptides)
Toxicology of Microcystins
Cylindrospermopsin
Toxicology of Cylindrospermopsin
Proposed Drinking Water Guideline Values for Cylindrospermopsin
Cattle Deaths from Cylindrospermopsin
Cattle Cylindrospermopsin LD₅₀
Human epidemiology
Removal of Cyanobacterial Toxins from Drinking Water
Conclusion